Theophylline, potentiation of testosterone propionate or estradiol benzoate in inducing male but not female sexual behavior in the female rat

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to assess the possible involvement of 3′:5′cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the hormonally mediated activation of masculine and feminine sexual behavior in female rats. In Experiment I, theophylline, a compound shown to be effective in inhibiting the degradation of cAMP, was combined with estradiol benzoate (EB) in an attempt to potentiate the action of estradiol for inducing feminine or masculine sexual behavior. Theophylline, when administered in combination with EB to ovariectomized females, resulted in an increase in masculine sexual behavior but no potentiating action on female receptivity. In Experiment II, theophylline, when given to female rats, potentiated the action of testosterone propionate in stimulating male but not female sexual behavior. These data suggest that estradiol and testosterone may be activating masculine sexual behavior through similar biochemical mechanisms. Likewise, cAMP may be involved in the activation of masculine but not feminine sexual behavior by gonadal steroids.